Chargeable weight calculator

Air and less-than-container-load (LCL) ocean freight are charged on weight or volume, whichever is greater. Enter the pieces and the total gross weight to see what you will be charged on.

How it is calculated

Air: volumetric weight in kilograms = length × width × height in centimeters ÷ 6,000, the divisor airlines use for general cargo. Express couriers such as DHL Express usually divide by 5,000, which makes volume count for more. The chargeable weight is the higher of the gross weight and the volumetric weight.

Ocean LCL: rates are quoted per revenue ton, the higher of the volume in cubic meters and the weight in metric tons (1 CBM against 1,000 kg). Some tariffs use other bases (Crowley's tariff rules, for example, also list rates per cubic meter or per 500 kg, and per cubic meter or per 2,000 lb), so check the basis on your quote.

This tool shows unrounded figures; a carrier's tariff may round them and add minimum charges.

Sources

How to read and understand your international airfreight bill, Air Cargo Week
Transportation conversion tables and calculations, Shapiro
How to calculate DHL volumetric weight, DHL
Application of Rates (tariff rules), Crowley

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Free to use, no sign-up. Figures are estimates for planning: carriers' tariffs and contracts decide what you are charged.

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